Reflection-type (e.g., Display Device) Patents (Class 359/267)
  • Patent number: 8508830
    Abstract: A multi-layer optical structure includes a pixel array layer, an addressing matrix layer, and a micro lens array. The pixel array layer includes an array of quantum dot pixels for emitting an image from a first side of the multi-layer optical structure. The addressing matrix layer adjoins the pixel array layer and includes electrically conductive signal lines to individual address and activate the quantum dot pixels to generate the image. The micro lens array includes micro lenses optically aligned with the quantum dot pixels in an emission path of the image to focus the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Jean Wang
  • Patent number: 8503062
    Abstract: A rearview mirror element assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a primary viewing region operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity, with a specularly reflective mirror reflector established at a third surface of a rear substrate at the primary viewing region. An auxiliary viewing region provides an auxiliary wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when the electrochromic reflective element is used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a side of a vehicle. A specularly reflective demarcating layer is established at a second surface of a front substrate of the electrochromic reflective element and, at least in part, is visible through the front substrate to a viewer when viewing the first surface of the front substrate of the electrochromic reflective element. The demarcating layer at least partially traverses the reflective element adjacent the auxiliary viewing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8503060
    Abstract: A vehicular mirror assembly (100) includes a first bezel (107) for housing an electrochromic (EC) glass element and a second bezel (109) for housing a spotter glass (111) element. A spotter glass heating element (113) is positioned behind the spotter glass element (111) for heating the spotter glass (111) above an ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Thomas, David J. Cammenga, Mark A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8503061
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a vehicular mirror assembly includes a front substrate, a rear substrate, an electro-optic medium disposed between the front and rear substrates and a transmission-reducing thin film coating established at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. A window is established through the transmission-reducing thin film coating and is substantially devoid of the thin film coating at a location where a sensor is disposed behind the reflective element and having a field of view through the reflective element and through the window. A portion of the transmission-reducing thin film coating at and around the window locally varies in physical thickness, with a minimum physical thickness of the thin film coating being closest to the window and with the physical thickness of the thin film coating generally increasing to a generally maximum physical thickness of the thin film coating at a distance from the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Uken, Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi
  • Publication number: 20130194650
    Abstract: A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a housing. A carrier is operably connected with the housing and supports a display. A circuit board is disposed in the housing. A sensing system is disposed proximate the display and is connected with the circuit board. A switching assembly is operably connected with the circuit board. Actuation of the switching assembly when the sensing system has been activated enables a function of the rearview assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark R. Roth, Mark D. Bugno, Danny L. Minikey, JR., David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Sandra Lynn Suman
  • Patent number: 8493317
    Abstract: A reflection type display apparatus includes a light modulating layer having a first electrode having a light transmitting property on which an electroplating can be deposited, a second electrode disposed, in opposition to the first electrode, on a reflecting plate for reflecting light of a certain wavelength band, and an electrolytic solution containing a metal ion arranged in contact with the first and second electrodes. According to a density of current at an interface between the first electrode and the electrolytic solution, the light modulating layer controls a light transmitting ratio and a reflection ratio of the electroplating. In addition, a control unit sets a direction and the density of the current for depositing the electroplating of several colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8482840
    Abstract: A display device of this embodiment includes a first insulating substrate having a display surface; a first resistive layer disposed on a surface of the first insulating substrate, the surface being opposite the display surface; a first electrochromic layer disposed on a surface of the first resistive layer; an electrolyte layer disposed on a surface of the first electrochromic layer; and a plurality of first electrodes connected to the first resistive layer. In the display device, a voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes so that a voltage gradient is generated in an in-plane direction of the first resistive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130163064
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe electrochromic devices and methods for forming electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices include a transparent substrate, a transparent conducting oxide layer coupled to the transparent substrate, and a layer of electrochromic material coupled to the transparent conducting oxide layer. The transparent conducting oxide layer includes indium and zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.
    Inventors: Hien Minh Huu Le, Thai Cheng Chua, Guowen Ding, Minh Anh Anh Nguyen, Yu Wang, Guizhen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130128333
    Abstract: This invention focuses on electrooptic devices and in particular on electrochromic (EC) devices with many aspects directed towards automotive EC mirrors. This invention improves the visual impact of such devices by employing modifications to the materials and layers so that their refractive index can be changed and/or matched to get this improvement. In addition this also discloses use of in-molded electronic components to reduce the assembly cost of these devices and improve their reliability. Displays can be incorporated in EC mirrors while having reflective coatings on the fourth surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: AJJER LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi, John P. Cronin
  • Patent number: 8432601
    Abstract: An electrochromic display module employing a unique combination of architecture and electrochromic composition to provide an extended life to the module. The architecture may involve the use of an extended seal about a perimeter of a display portion where the composition is located. In this manner, the rate of solvent leakage from the composition may be substantially reduced. Additionally, the electrochromic composition itself may make use of particular low volatility solvents and constituent combinations so as to discourage the amount particle generation therein. Ultimately, an electrochromic display module having a useful life of more than about 3 years may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Gemalto, S.A.
    Inventors: Steven Paul Webb, Dennis Brestovansky, Craig Richard Berry, John Russell Kingery
  • Patent number: 8432602
    Abstract: A chromatic element includes a sealed enclosure, a first heating element, a chromatic material layer, and a second heating element. The sealed enclosure includes an upper sheet and a lower sheet, and defines a room between the upper sheet and the lower sheet. The upper sheet is semitransparent. The first heating element is located on the upper sheet. The second heating element is located on the lower sheet. The chromatic material layer is located in the room. The location of the chromatic layer changes by heat from the first heating element or the second heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peng Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8419198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rear under view mirror system for vehicles. The rear under view mirror system includes a rear under view mirror unit having a semitransparent glass and an electrically switchable glass. When a vehicle moves forwards, the rear under view mirror unit does not protrude rearwards relative to a vehicle body and overlaps a rear windshield glass, thus providing a good appearance and preventing resistance to airflow, without hindering a driver from seeing the area behind the vehicle through the rear windshield glass. The rear under view mirror unit has a large area corresponding to that of the rear windshield glass, thus providing a sufficient view of the low area to the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Keun-Sang Woo
  • Publication number: 20130088766
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate, with no portion of the rear glass substrate extending beyond any portion of the front glass substrate. The reflective element includes a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of a second surface of the front glass substrate. The perimeter band generally conceals the presence of a perimeter seal from view by the driver of the vehicle. A plastic molding may be circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the front glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the front glass substrate. The outermost part of the plastic molding may lack a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the front glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: DONNELLY CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8416486
    Abstract: A light weight electrochromic dimmable mirror stack (300, 600) is presented that is composed only of solid-state layers (315, 615) with a total thickness of less than 50 micron and a reflector (310, 610). Normally such a kind of layered device suffers from iridescence due to interference of light waves reflecting at the interfaces between the layers of the electrochromic device. The solution provided by the invention is to pattern at least one of the layers (315, 615) in the device such that the interference effects are smeared out and a more neutral color is obtained. Various possible configurations are described and also the method to produce such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Chaineux
    Inventors: Edy Widjaja, Peter Persoone
  • Publication number: 20130083388
    Abstract: A method of forming a mirror reflective element assembly includes providing front and rear substrates and establishing a curved recess at a second surface of the front substrate and establishing a mirror reflector coating at the curved recess. An uncured seal is dispensed on a dispensing surface and has a first gap between terminal ends of said seal. The uncured seal is dispensed substantially around a principal reflecting region and a spotter region and defines a second gap between spaced apart portions of the uncured seal at an outboard region of the spotter region. A portion of the uncured seal is dispensed across the spotter region. The first gap provides a fill port for said mirror reflective element assembly when the front and rear substrates are mated together, and the second gap provides a vent port for the spotter cavity when the front and rear substrates are mated together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130076904
    Abstract: A vehicular accessory mounting system includes a structure adhesively attached at a region of an interior surface of the vehicle windshield. The structure is configured to accommodate an accessory. A light absorbing layer at the region of the interior surface of the vehicle windshield at least partially hides the structure from view by a viewer, who is external the vehicle, viewing through the windshield. The accessory views through a light transmitting portion of the light absorbing layer and through the windshield to the exterior of the vehicle when the structure is attached at the region of the interior surface of the windshield and when the accessory is accommodated thereat. The structure may include a mirror assembly mount button and the mirror assembly mount button may be configured to be received by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: DONNELLY CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8400704
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element. A transflective mirror reflector is established at a third surface of a rear substrate of the mirror assembly. The mirror reflector has at least three layers, including a metallic layer, a transparent conductive metal oxide layer and a transparent dielectric metal oxide layer. The metallic layer is closer to the electrochromic medium than the transparent conductive metal oxide layer and the transparent dielectric metal oxide layer, and the transparent conductive metal oxide layer and the transparent dielectric metal oxide layer are disposed between the metallic layer and the third surface of the rear substrate. The at least three layers of the mirror reflector are established at the third surface of the rear substrate by a vacuum deposition process that includes sputtering from multiple sputtering targets in a single vacuum deposition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8395835
    Abstract: A 3D image display device with a 2D or 3D image mode switching barrier is provided. The image display device includes an image panel, color change regions spaced apart from each other in a repetitive pattern and selectively change into light transmission regions or light blockage regions, and a barrier having the color change regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eun Jung Lim
  • Patent number: 8385640
    Abstract: A system for controlling a printed dynamic optical illusion image, comprising: an item including a printed optical illusion image having one or more mutable portions that can be controllably switched between first and second appearance states by application of an appropriate external stimulus; a stimulus source for providing the external stimulus; and a controller for controlling the stimulus source. The printed optical illusion image is printed on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, one or more of the colorants being appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics that can be controllably switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by applying the appropriate external stimulus, the one or more mutable portions of the optical illusion image being printed using at least one appearance mutable colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Paul James Kane
  • Patent number: 8379289
    Abstract: An electrochromic interior reflective element for an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear substrates and an electrochromic medium sandwiched between the front and rear substrates. The electrochromic medium is disposed in an interpane cavity established between a third surface of the rear substrate and a second surface of said the substrate, and the electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal. A conductive layer is disposed at a fourth surface of the rear substrate. A non-conductive layer covers a covered portion of the conductive layer and leaves an exposed portion of the conductive layer exposed. An electronic circuitry component is disposed at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The electronic circuitry component is electrically connected to the exposed portion of the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, David C. Wight, Mark E. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8373919
    Abstract: Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Foller, Robert H. Tang, Forrest R. Blackburn, Robert W. Walters, Kevin W. Seybert
  • Publication number: 20130033736
    Abstract: A variable reflectance mirror reflective element includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, with no part of the rear substrate extending beyond any part of the front substrate. A mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate and includes a stack of thin films having at least one metal thin film. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate and generally conceals the perimeter seal from view by a person viewing through the front substrate. Light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate has a substantially untinted reflectant characteristic to a person viewing the mirror reflective element when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donnelly Corporation
  • Patent number: 8368992
    Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Scott W. VanderZwaag
  • Publication number: 20130016416
    Abstract: An exterior mirror reflective element includes a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The mirror reflective element has a principal reflector portion and an auxiliary reflector portion, with the auxiliary reflector portion having a curved recess established at the second surface of the glass substrate. The curved recess has a cross-dimension size that may be less than about 80 millimeters and a radius of curvature that may be less than about 1,000 millimeters and a maximum recess depth that may be in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters. A metallic reflector is established at the curved recess and a principal mirror reflector is established at the principal reflector portion. The mirror reflective element may be an electrochromic mirror reflective element, or may be a fixed reflectance non-electro-optic mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mingtang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20130010347
    Abstract: An all-solid-state reflective dimming electrochromic element having a multilayer film formed on a transparent substrate, which is characterized in that the multilayer film has a multilayer structure comprising at least a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a buffer layer, a catalyst layer, a reflective dimming layer, and a protective layer formed on the transparent substrate, and which is sealed with the protective layer, and a dimming member comprising the same are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuki Tajima, Yasusei Yamada, Kazuki Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20130003405
    Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method includes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illumining its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for proving a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Edmund Fehn, David J. Cammenga, Richard T. Fish, JR., Darin D. Tuttle, Mark A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 8345344
    Abstract: A multicolor photovoltaic electrochromic apparatus is provided, including a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate opposite to the first transparent substrate, a photovoltaic electrochromic device on the first transparent substrate, and a chromogenic device between the first and the second transparent substrates. The photovoltaic electrochromic device includes thin-film solar cells and an electrochromic material on the thin-film solar cells. The thin-film solar cells have different potential differences, and each of the thin-film solar cells includes an anode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a cathode. The chromogenic device includes two electrodes and a chromogenic material thereon. The cathodes of the thin-film solar cells, which have distinct potential differences, are connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the chromogenic device respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Lee-May Huang
  • Publication number: 20120327498
    Abstract: There are provided a display and an electronic unit capable of enhancing visibility. The display includes: a plurality of pixels each including a light-emission device, and having a light-transmission region in at least a part thereof; and one or more transmittance control devices capable of controlling a transmittance of incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Arai, Yoshihiro Oshima
  • Publication number: 20120320444
    Abstract: A rearview mirror element assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a primary viewing region operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity, with a specularly reflective mirror reflector established at a third surface of a rear substrate at the primary viewing region. An auxiliary viewing region provides an auxiliary wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when the electrochromic reflective element is used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted at a side of a vehicle. A specularly reflective demarcating layer is established at a second surface of a front substrate of the electrochromic reflective element and, at least in part, is visible through the front substrate to a viewer when viewing the first surface of the front substrate of the electrochromic reflective element. The demarcating layer at least partially traverses the reflective element adjacent the auxiliary viewing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8335032
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror reflective element includes a front substrate connected with a rear substrate via a perimeter seal, whereby, when so connected, at least a portion of a circumferential outer edge of the rear substrate is inward of a circumferential outer edge of the front substrate and no portion of the rear substrate protrudes beyond the front substrate. A first electrical connection establishes electrical connection at the front substrate and a second electrical connection may establish electrical connection at the rear substrate. An electrically conductive perimeter hiding band is disposed around a border region of the front substrate and substantially hides the seal and the electrical connections from view by a driver normally operating the vehicle and viewing the reflective element when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8323535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic composition comprising multifunctional (meth)acrylate-based monomers having two or more functional groups, a photochromic dye and an aromatic vinyl compound, in which the content of the aromatic vinyl compound is more than 30% by weight and 70% by weight or less, a photochromic film produced by using the same, and a method for producing the photochromic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon Choi, Jee-Seon Kim, Woo-Sung Kim, Young-Jun Hong
  • Patent number: 8323534
    Abstract: Disclosed are electrochromic materials containing a film-forming polymer with a Tg less than 100° C.; a plasticizer; an electrochromophore; an electron mediator; and a salt. Also disclosed are electrochromic devices using such electrochromic materials that can provide light-filtering, color-modulation, or reflectance-modulation in variable transmittance windows, variable-reflectance mirrors and other dynamic glazing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Simona Percec, Joel M. Pollino
  • Publication number: 20120287496
    Abstract: A power supply for supplying direct current (DC) power from a pulse width modulated (PWM) source includes a connector configured to be in electrical communication with a PWM power source. A hold-up circuit is in electrical communication with the connector and is configured to convert electrical power supplied from the PWM power source to DC power. This DC power is supplied to a drive circuit where a microcontroller is configured to control the drive circuit by supplying the DC power from the drive circuit to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory J. Nagel, Robert R. Turnbull
  • Publication number: 20120281268
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including an electrochromic reflective element. A transflective mirror reflector is established at a third surface of a rear substrate of the mirror assembly. The mirror reflector has at least three layers, including a metallic layer, a transparent conductive metal oxide layer and a transparent dielectric metal oxide layer. The metallic layer is closer to the electrochromic medium than the transparent conductive metal oxide layer and the transparent dielectric metal oxide layer, and the transparent conductive metal oxide layer and the transparent dielectric metal oxide layer are disposed between the metallic layer and the third surface of the rear substrate. The at least three layers of the mirror reflector are established at the third surface of the rear substrate by a vacuum deposition process that includes sputtering from multiple sputtering targets in a single vacuum deposition chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8300297
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a carbon nano-structured electrode layer disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, an electrochromic layer disposed on the second electrode, and an electrolyte layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Ho Noh, Seon-Mi Yoon, Jae-Young Choi
  • Patent number: 8298655
    Abstract: An exterior surface covering has a colored outer layer that transmits infrared radiation and an inner layer with a thermochromic pigment that absorbs heat at low temperature and reflects at high temperatures. The outer layer conceals the color change of the thermochromic pigment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Ming Liang Shiao, Keith C. Hong, Gregory F. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20120268961
    Abstract: A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, William L. Tonar, Jeremy A. Fogg, Michael F. Lisowski, Peter N. Rizk
  • Patent number: 8294975
    Abstract: An automotive rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a transparent electrical conductor disposed at a second surface of a first substrate and a mirror reflector disposed at a third surface of a second substrate. The mirror assembly includes electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of the electrochromic medium. The mirror assembly may include one or more features and at least one of the features may share a component with the electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry and/or share circuitry with the electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry. The mirror assembly may include a video camera and/or an on-demand display viewable through the mirror reflector by the driver of the equipped vehicle when displaying information and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when not displaying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8284472
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all-solid-state type reflection light controllable electrochromic device having a buffer layer, and the constitution thereof comprises an all-solid-state reflective dimming electrochromic device in which a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a buffer layer, catalyst layer, and a reflective light controllable layer of a magnesium alloy thin film, in particular a multilayer thin film that uses a magnesium-nickel alloy, magnesium-titanium alloy or magnesium-niobium alloy, are formed on a transparent base that uses a glass or resin sheet, and a method for manufacturing the device, and an optical switchable component that incorporates the reflective light controllable electrochromic device, and according to the present invention, a reflective light controllable electrochromic device having a novel multilayer structure can be provided that enables high transmittance when it is transparent and enables switching in a short time over a w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Yasusel Yamada, Kazuki Tajima
  • Patent number: 8282224
    Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman, Gary J. Dozeman, Tammy G. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20120250135
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a color display provides a bottom substrate, injects a liquid display media onto the bottom substrate, and disposes a sealing substrate on the liquid display media, such that the liquid display media is contained between the sealing substrate and the bottom substrate. The method also aligns an image device corresponding to the bottom substrate and transfers a color coating onto the sealing substrate by a laser device through a laser thermal transfer process to form a color filter layer on the sealing substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Yeh, Yao-Chou Tsai, Henry Wang, Ted-Hong Shinn
  • Patent number: 8279512
    Abstract: A periscope that is switchable between the normal optical view of the outside, a display view, and an overlay view in which the outside view and display view are combined. The switching element is an electronically switchable mirror with primarily reflective, primarily transparent, and intermediate states, depending on the application of electrical potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Oasis Advanced Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Minor, Henry Clarence Davies, Edward Charles Schwartz, Michael James Klingensmith
  • Patent number: 8277059
    Abstract: A vehicular electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing and an electrochromic mirror reflective element. At least a portion of a front substrate of the reflective element extends beyond a corresponding portion of a rear substrate of the reflective element to establish a ledge at least partially along the periphery of the reflective element, with no part of the rear substrate extending beyond any part of the front substrate. Electrical connections are made to conductive coatings or layers at the front and rear substrates. The electrochromic interior rearview mirror reflective element includes a concealing layer disposed along a perimeter border region to conceal the presence of the perimeter seal and the electrical connections from view by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The mirror casing provides a bezel-less mirror casing where no portion of the mirror casing overlaps the first surface of the front substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Publication number: 20120243067
    Abstract: An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element a rear element, and an electro-optic medium, the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab?) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (?hab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, John A. VanderPloeg, David A. Theiste, Thomas F. Guarr, Henry A. Luten, George A. Neuman
  • Publication number: 20120236387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, JR., John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Publication number: 20120236388
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate. The housing includes an element that protrudes beyond a rear surface of the glass substrate and towards the front surface of the glass substrate when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a slanted rear perimeter edge-portion along a perimeter circumference of the rear surface of the glass substrate to at least partially accommodate the element of the housing when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a beveled front perimeter along a perimeter circumference of the front surface of the glass substrate. The beveled front perimeter of the glass substrate is exposed and viewable by the driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Donald S. Rawlings, John T. Uken
  • Publication number: 20120229882
    Abstract: A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, JR., Danny L. Minikey, JR., Mark R. Roth, David J. Cammenga, George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, Gary J. Dozeman, Joel A. Stray
  • Patent number: 8254011
    Abstract: A driver attitude detection system for a vehicle includes a forward facing imaging sensor for capturing image data of a scene occurring forwardly of and in the direction of forward travel of an equipped vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the forward facing imaging sensor. A control, responsive at least in part to image processing by the image processor of the captured image data, is operable to determine driver performance and generate a control output indicative of driver performance. The driver attitude detection system may include at least one monitoring device for monitoring a vehicle characteristic of the equipped vehicle, and the control may, responsive at least in part to the at least one monitoring device, be operable to determine driver performance and generate the control output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Baur, Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20120206790
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in a rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes first and second substrates having an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter coating is disposed at a second surface of the first substrate proximate at least a perimeter portion of the first substrate. The perimeter coating generally conceals the perimeter seal from view by a person viewing a first surface of the first substrate and through the first substrate. An at least partially reflective stack of thin films is disposed at least a portion of a third surface of the second substrate. The perimeter seal is at least partially visible to a person viewing a fourth surface of the second substrate and through the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig Allen Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 8243356
    Abstract: The authenticity of a security document, such as a bank note, is verified by use of a security feature arranged in or on the document, which security feature comprises an antenna arranged to receive EM-radiation from an external energy source; a rectifier arranged to receive electric energy from the antenna and convert it into a rectified current; and an electrochromic display arranged to alter its electrochromic state in response to said rectified current. Hence, a security feature able alter its appearance in response to EM-radiation is provided, which comprises a display that can be given a large variety of two dimensional shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: De la Rue International Limited
    Inventors: Mats Robertsson, Petronella Norberg, Xin Wang, Staffan Nordlinder, Anna Malmström, Lars-Olov Hennerdal, James Peter Snelling, Philip George Cooper